Chanel Ayan Explains How Her "Relationship" with Rihanna Led to Lesa Milan Drama
The RHoDubai cast member claimed it all started over a DM to the Grammy-winning singer.
There’s a new development in the Chanel Ayan vs. Lesa Milan feud. And it involves an A-list celebrity.
While speaking with Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast, Chanel revealed that a DM to Rihanna — yes, the Rihanna — sparked a minor tiff between her and her former bestie. But before she dove into the drama, The Real Housewives of Dubai mom shared some important background information.
Chanel said she met Rihanna several years ago in Dubai when she was tapped to model the singer’s Fenty Beauty line. The two reportedly reconnected in 2023, after Chanel noticed RiRi had followed her on social media.
Chanel Ayan sought business advice from Rihanna
“The reality is Rihanna follows me [on Instagram], you know?” Chanel told the podcast host. “And I do have a relationship with Rihanna.”
Chanel said she then DM’d Rihanna — a well-known Bravo superfan — to get some business advice.
“I reached out to her and I said, ‘I’m starting a makeup line and I would like to ask some advice about how to go [about] it because you’re a billionaire,’” Chanel recalled, referring to her newly launched cosmetic brand Ayan Beauty. “I’m obsessed with Rihanna. Obsessed… She’s a successful, beautiful mogul."
Why did Lesa Milan ask Chanel Ayan to reach out to Rihanna?
Shortly after, Lesa allegedly asked Chanel to connect Rihanna with Mina Roe, Lesa’s contemporary maternity line that’s received co-signs from Beyoncé; Khloé Kardashian; Serena Williams; and supermodel Gigi Hadid, the oldest daughter of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Yolanda Hadid.
“Lesa asked me, ‘Do you mind if you reach out [for] Mina Roe for me?’” Chanel continued. “And, to be honest, I did.”
However, the Dubai 'Wife said she eventually regretted the decision.
Chanel explains why she "unsent" Lesa's requested DM to Rihanna
“Everybody said, ‘You just asked about Ayan Beauty. You don’t have that kind of relationship yet with [Rihanna] to keep asking her stuff,’” she explained. ”Everybody was like, ‘Ayan, you cannot ask her so much. You just met her.’ You have to understand, I just met the girl.”
Chanel continued: “I did send the DM, OK? I showed [Lesa] that I did send the DM because she kept asking, ‘Did she read it? Did she read it? Did she read it?’ And then my friends were like, ‘Ayan, you cannot. You just asked her about Ayan Beauty.’”
The Dubai model/businesswoman noted that Rihanna hadn't responded to her Ayan Beauty message at the time, so she decided to unsend the Mina Roe inquiry before Rihanna could see it.
Where do Chanel and Lesa stand ahead of the RHoDubai Season 2 reunion?
Chanel also pushed back on the claims she was an unsupportive friend to Lesa and said they had a lot to discuss at the RHoDubai Season 2 reunion, which was filmed on August 8 in New York City.
“I support her. I support her with love, I support her with business,” Chanel said.
Although the DM situation caused some mild drama, it wasn’t the reason for Chanel and Lesa’s big fallout. The former said fans will learn the exact cause in the upcoming Season 2 finale.
“It’s very big,” Chanel said about their main issue, adding she was open to repairing the friendship. “She’s like family to me. You just don’t throw your family away.”
